I don't yet know enough about the history, models and variations of the multitude of M42 lenses available on the second hand market, but I have always been intrigued by the Carl Zeiss range(s) of lenses and I've been aware for some time of a few models that get given the label "legendary". I'm not a great fan of using M42 lenses simply because of the fiddly adaptor fitting and metering but I thought it was time to see what all the fuss was about so I've hunted down a handful to see what they can produce. There are no adjustments except for exposure and in the case of the Pancolar a slight temperature tweak.

Carl Zeiss Flektogon 35mm f2.4 @ f2.4 (I think):

Carl Zeiss Flektogon 35mm f2.4 @ f8:

Aus Jena Pancolar 50mm f1.8 @ f5.6:

The Flektogon is quite unusual in that it has a close focus of approx. 20cm and a reasonably fast aperture (for its day) of f2.4. - there is also an earlier f2.8 version with a different element number. I have the Multi Coated (MC in white letters) later versions.

The name Aus Jena was given to lenses produced for the export market and the earlier Pancolar is reputed to have radioactive Thorium in the elements, contributing to the Yellow tinge visible on images before a slight colour tweak. My copy is the early "Zebra" style model - non Multi Coated, but with the Thorium elements.

I know that some of you are regular users of Carl Zeiss and other M42 lenses, so please add your examples to the thread

Can I show a few more ?When I left the British Army in 1958 I was introduced to the 'Jazz Scene' by an Army friend and when I got my first PENTAX the S3 in 1961 I was a regular at the '100 Club' in Oxford Street, London where I photographed many famous British Jazz musicians -- I found some old prints in my garage saved from the last 'Dumping Session' as ordered by my Wives and don't want to upset the present one!This was on a 105mm f2.8 Pre-set TAKUMAR lens, Kodak Tri-X in Promicrol 1+1 I did a 20x16" Darkroom print of this and it got accepted at the Royal Photographic Society Pictorial Group Exhibition, the Essex International Salon ( before Southend Borough Council stopped the sponsorship for it ) and several other photography Exhibitions in the UK. 100 Club London, 1960&#x27;s by Peter Elgar, on FlickrTerry Lightfoot -- 55mm f1.8 Auto-Takumar on S3TERRY LIGHTFOOT : 100 Club London,1960&#x27;s by Peter Elgar, on FlickrAcker Bilk, 55mm f1.8 Auto-Takumar at f2ACKER BILK : 100 Club London,1960&#x27;s by Peter Elgar, on FlickrKenny Ball, flash from Braun Hobby unit, 55mm f1.8 Auto=Takumar on S3, Panatomic -X film100 Club : KENNY BALL by Peter Elgar, on Flickr

Got 'Computerised and Slightly DIGITISED' but FILM still RULES -- OK ? !!